In regenerative medicine, stem cells (or stem cell recruitment products) are injected into a degenerative joint to replace damaged tissue and stimulate healing. This process takes time, more so depending on how much damage is in the joint; the thinner the joint space, the less there is to work with and the longer it may take. For example, joints missing at least 50% or more of their space can take 6-9 months to improve. Joints that are bone on bone can take up to a year. Besides the time it takes, it may also take more than one round of allograft treatments. While some severely degenerated joints show great improvement over a 90 day period, more bone on bone joints take time and multiple rounds of stem cells to see changes.
At Solutions, we know what it takes to change damaged joints so we take bone on bone osteoarthritis very seriously. We have found best success with these cases when we apply layers of stem cells, various building blocks and stem cell recruitment products over a period of time. For example, 4-6 weeks after an initial allograft joint injection, we often recommend PRP. This would cause not only a boost of more stem cells but also thicken the joint space with more fluid (so the cells have more room to work). We may also recommend a course of Hyaluronic Acid plus certain protein growth factors to add raw building blocks for the stem cells to use for rebuilding (while also continuing to maintain a thickened joint space for unhindered growth of new tissue). Finally, we find additional allografts months after the first promise a synergistic effect that can be important in stubborn, severe cases.
Author
Dr. Dan Levesque, DC
Dr. Levesque has practiced chiropractic in Abingdon, VA for the last 25 years. After experiencing amazing success with regenerative medicine himself, he came to work for Solutions Integrated Medicine. He is highly committed to further studying this science for the purpose of helping more patients feel better, become healthier and avoid surgery.